STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2369

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3107

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3107 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PAROLE ELIGIBILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend section 353-64, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to include participation in certain correctional programs for parole eligibility.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Paroling Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hina Mauka, and two individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.

Your Committee finds that certain programs, such as substance abuse and mental health treatment, sex offender rehabilitation, and work furloughs, can serve a critical role as pathways for parole. Crucially, participation in specialized treatment and reintegration programs directly addresses the root causes of criminal behavior, leading to more successful and enduring community reentry. When these programs count toward parole eligibility, inmates have a strong incentive to participate, thereby reducing the long-term risk of recidivism. Ultimately, this measure will strengthen the State's rehabilitation system, improve public safety, and reduce the number of inmates who are perpetually incarcerated.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

Your Committee notes the concerns expressed by the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, that access to furlough and programming has been a consistent issue in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Because of this ongoing challenge for the Department, establishing programming requirements for parole could unintentionally keep more individuals incarcerated. Your Committee finds that this issue raises concerns that merit further consideration and requests further examination by your Committee on Judiciary, should it choose to deliberate on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3107, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3107, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair